Development of a process to lower the electrical conductivity of oils from biological feedstock

变压器液体必须具有良好的电绝缘性能，并用于充油变压器、高压电容器和其他电气设备，以防止电晕放电和电弧。通常，这些液体是由从石油中提炼出来的矿物油制成的。考虑到有限的石油储量以及在泄漏情况下的环境危害，希望有替代这些传统变压器液体的产品。来自生物原料的油是可再生的，具有更好的生物降解性，因此它们用作变压器液似乎非常有吸引力。然而，这些生物基油的导电性不符合变压器液的规格。在这项研究中，我们开发了一种工艺来降低来自生物原料的油的电导率，以便将其用作可再生和环境友好的变压器液。这种工艺的发展使加拿大经济受益，预计这项研究有助于创造熟练的制造业工作岗位，还可以通过培训高素质的工程师和科学家来帮助扩大加拿大的高科技工作岗位。

Transformer liquids must have excellent electrical insulating properties and are used in oil-filled transformers, high-voltage capacitors and other electrical equipment to prevent corona discharge and arcing. Usually, these liquids are made from mineral oils that are refined from petroleum. With respect to the finite reservoirs of petroleum as well as to the environmental hazard in case of a spill, it is desirable to have alternatives to these conventional transformer liquids. Oils from biological feedstock are renewable and have a better biodegradability and their usage as transformer liquids seems therefore very attractive. However, the electrical conductivity of these bio-based oils do not meet the specifications for a transformer liquid. In this research, we develop a process to lower the conductivity of an oil from a biological feedstock so that it can be used as renewable and environmental-friendly transformer liquid. The development of such processes benefits the Canadian economy and it is anticipated that this research helps to create skilled manufacturing jobs and can also assist in the expansion of high-tech jobs in Canada through the training of highly-qualified engineers and scientists.**